Industry Minister James Moore announced today that the Government of Canada will hold consultations on AWS-4 spectrum. The rollout of services using this spectrum will improve mobile services network coverage in virtually all rural and remote areas of Canada, which supports greater competition and provides more choice for wireless consumers. This wide-scale coverage also benefits commercial users, such as those in the resource sector, that work in isolated areas.

Quick facts

-- AWS-4 spectrum can support mobile services using both satellite- and
terrestrial-based networks across the country.
-- The Government is consulting on proposed changes that would allow
licensees to launch new services and create new competition in the
Canadian wireless market.
-- The proposed licensing framework for this spectrum will generally align
with that of the United States, will create access to affordable
equipment and will enable this spectrum to be put to use for the benefit
of wireless consumers.

Quote

"Spectrum is a critical public resource, and it is our job as a government to ensure it is allocated in a way that encourages robust competition and choice in our wireless market. Canadian consumers have been clear that they want more choice, lower prices and better service. This consultation will allow Canadians to have a say on how to improve mobile services in rural and remote communities."

Consultation on AWS-4 spectrum to improve mobile services in rural and remote communities across Canada

AWS-4 spectrum in the 2 GHz band is currently licensed to provide mobile services using both satellites in orbit and towers here on earth to deliver signals to mobile users. One of the satellites already launched for this band has unique rural coverage capability, providing both voice and data services to smart phones in virtually all of Canada. This wide-scale coverage also benefits commercial users, such as those in the resource sector, that work in isolated areas.

Industry Canada is consulting on the best approach to updating the licensing framework for AWS-4 services, which would allow licensees to deliver improved mobile services to rural Canadians and would create competition that would in turn benefit all Canadians with more choice. Key elements of the proposed approach include the following:

1. Licensees for this spectrum should be required to provide satellite
services that will benefit rural Canadians but also have the flexibility
to offer services using a land-based network. This would enable them to
compete with other commercial mobile providers and offer Canadians the
benefits of more choice.
2. This spectrum would continue to be licensed to Gamma Acquisition Canada
ULC (a subsidiary of DISH Network Inc.) and TerreStar Solutions Inc.
They are licensees in good standing and have made significant
investments to launch a satellite that can be used to provide these
services. These licences should be generally aligned with those issued
in the U.S. to promote the availability of reasonably priced smart
phones in the Canadian market.
3. Strict rollout obligations-for example, a requirement to serve 30
percent of Canada's population within five years-should be included in
the conditions of licence to promote this spectrum being put to use
quickly for the benefit of Canadians.

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